Novel methods for production of 5-epi-beta-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one, and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to novel methods for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, which are useful for their fragrant qualities. In one embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In yet another embodiment the present invention describes a novel method for production of premnaspirodiene from a terpene substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCES

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/919,284 by Julien et al., entitled “Novel Methods for Production of 5-Epi-β-Vetivone, 2-Isopropyl-6,10-Dimethyl-Spiro[4.5]Deca-2,6-Dien-8-One, and 2-Isopropyl-6,10-Dimethyl-Spiro[4.5]Deca-1,6-Dien-8-One,” filed on Mar. 20, 2007, and incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel methods for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, which are useful for their fragrant qualities. In one embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for production of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one by the use of premnaspirodiene as starting material. In yet another embodiment the present invention describes a novel method for production of premnaspirodiene from a terpene substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

5-epi-β-vetivone, represented by Formula (1) below:

is a potentially valuable fragrance component due to its vetivert, woody, grapefruit aroma. Similarly, the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one, represented by Formula (3) below

and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, represented by Formula (4) below

is a potentially valuable fragrance component as well, due to its vetivert, woody, grapefruit aroma.

One method of producing 5-epi-β-vetivone has been developed to date (11). In this process 5-epi-β-vetivone was made as a byproduct during the diastereoselective 1,4-addition of a methyl group to a double bond to synthesize (−)-solavetivone (5). However, 5-epi-β-vetivone is made as a byproduct and the disclosed process is not suitable for commercial grade production of 5-epi-β-vetivone.

No methods of producing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) are known to date.

Therefore, there is a current need in the art for methods to produce 5-epi-β-vetivone (1) in a fewer number of reaction steps, with higher overall yield, and from less expensive and more available starting materials. Furthermore, there is a current need in the art for methods to produce 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4).

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to novel methods for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4), which are useful for their fragrant qualities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing 5-epi-β-vetivone (1) comprising the steps of:

(1) subjecting (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(2) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone (5) formed in step (1) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form 5-epi-β-vetivone (1);

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (2) are such that the predominant product is 5-epi-β-vetivone (1).

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) comprising the steps of:

(1) subjecting (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone (5); and

(2) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone (5) formed in step (1) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4);

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (2) are such that the predominant product is a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4)

In another embodiment the present invention describes a substantially purified and isolated mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4).

In another embodiment the present invention describes the substantially purified and isolated compound 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3), substantially free of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4).

In another embodiment the present invention describes the substantially purified and isolated compound 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (3), substantially free of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (4).

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for producing (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) from a terpene substrate, comprising the steps of:

(1) providing the terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene (2).

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing 5-epi-β-vetivone comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene;

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form 5-epi-β-vetivone;

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is 5-epi-β-vetivone.

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene;

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one;

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one.

In yet another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene;

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; and

(6) isolating the 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one formed in step (5) by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution.

In yet another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene;

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; and

(6) isolating the 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one formed in step (e) by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following invention will become better understood with reference to the specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 depicts the structural formula of 5-epi-β-vetivone (1).

FIG. 2 depicts the structural formula of premnaspirodiene (2).

FIG. 3 depicts the structural formulas of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) (the “2,6-diene isomer”) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) (the 1,6-diene isomer”). FIG. 3A depicts the structural formula of the 2,6-diene isomer. FIG. 3B depicts the structural formula of the 1,6-diene isomer.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic representation of an oxidation and acid catalyzed isomerization reaction used in the production methods of the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides a schematic representation of an oxidation and acid catalyzed isomerization reaction used in the production of 5-epi-β-vetivone (1).

FIG. 6 provides a schematic representation of an oxidation and acid catalyzed isomerization reaction used in the production of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4).

FIG. 7 provides a graph showing the GC trace of premnaspirodiene in vegetable oil before distillation (Example 8). FIG. 7A shows the graph on a normal scale. FIG. 7B expands the scale to depict the impurities present in the premnaspirodiene before distillation.

FIG. 8 provides a graph showing the GC trace of purified premnaspirodiene after distillation (Example 8). FIG. 8A shows the graph on a normal scale. FIG. 8B expands the scale to depict the lack of impurities present in the premnaspirodiene after distillation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

5-epi-β-vetivone (1) is commercially useful in the fragrance industry due to its vetivert, woody, grapefruit aroma. The present invention generally describes a method for production of 2-isopropylidene-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]dec-6-en-8-one (the “5-epi-β-vetivone”), represented by Formula (1), from (−) premnaspirodiene, represented by Formula (2) below:

In general, one embodiment of the present invention is a method for synthesizing 5-epi-β-vetivone comprising the steps of:

(1) subjecting (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(2) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone (5) formed in step (i) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form 5-epi-β-vetivone (1);

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (ii) are such that the predominant product is 5-epi-β-vetivone.

Typically, the allylic carbon oxidation step can be carried out according to a scheme demonstrated in FIG. 5 and described in literature [Hwu, J. R.; Wetzel, J. M., J. Org. Chem. (1992), 57 (3), 922-928]. Furthermore, the acid catalyzed isomerization step can be carried out according to Scheme (2) below:

The allylic oxidation reaction step may be carried out using metal oxidants, wherein such oxidants include, but are not limited to, chromium, copper, rhodium, cobalt, manganese, or vanadium. Amongst the chromium oxidants, one may use CrO₃-pyridine complex, chromium trioxide and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, chromic acid (CrO₂Cl₂) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC), pyridinium dichromate (PDC), sodium chromate, sodium dichromate in acetic acid, pyridinium fluorochromate, or 3,5-dimethylpyrazolium fluorochromate(VI). Amongst the copper oxidants, one may use copper(I) bromide, copper(I) iodide, or Cu(OAc)₂ and t-BuOOH. Amongst the rhodium oxidants, one may use dirhodium catalysts such as dirhodium tetrakiscaprolactamate (Rh₂(cap)₄), Rh₂(OAc)₄ or dirhodium tetrakisperfluorobutanoate Rh₂(pfb)₄). Amongst the cobalt oxidants, one may use Co(OAc)₂ and t-BuOOH. Amongst the manganese oxidants, one may use Mn(OAc)₂ and t-BuOOH. Amongst the vanadium oxidants, one may use V(OAc)₂ and t-BuOOH. Other, alternative, oxidants are described below.

In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxidant is a chromium or rhodium catalyst such as CrO₃-pyridine complex, chromium trioxide and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, chromic acid (CrO₂Cl₂) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC), pyridinium dichromate (PDC), sodium chromate, sodium dichromate in acetic acid, pyridinium fluorochromate, 3,5-dimethylpyrazolium fluorochromate(VI), Rh₂(cap)₄, Rh₂(OAc)₄ or Rh₂(pfb)₄.

In a more preferred embodiment, the metal oxidant is a chromium catalyst such as chromic acid (CrO₂Cl₂) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole.

In a preferred embodiment, oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed in a solvent. Typically, the solvent comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, ether compounds, hydrocarbons, halohydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term “aliphatic alcohol” means a straight-chain or branched-chain aliphatic alcohol of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, typically of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. As used herein, the term “ether compound” means a linear or cyclic ether of from 4 to 12 carbon atoms. As used herein, the term “hydrocarbon” means an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon of from 5 to 12 carbon atoms wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon is a straight-chain or branched-chain alkane. As used herein, the term “halohydrocarbon” means an aliphatic or aromatic halohydrocarbon of from 5 to 12 carbon atoms wherein, when the halohydrocarbon is an aliphatic halohydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon moiety of the halohydrocarbon is a straight-chain or branched-chain alkane, and wherein the halohydrocarbon comprises from 1 to 4 halogens.

In one alternative, the solvent comprises an aliphatic alcohol. Typically, the aliphatic alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and t-butanol. In another alternative, the solvent comprises an ether compound. Typically, the ether compound is selected from the group consisting of ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane.

In another alternative, the solvent comprises a hydrocarbon. Typically, the hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of pentane, hexane, benzene, and toluene.

In another alternative, the solvent comprises a halohydrocarbon. Preferably, the halohydrocarbon is dichloromethane.

Preferably, oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed in a solvent that is a mixture of t-butanol and dichloromethane.

In another alternative, oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using CrO₂Cl₂ as an oxidizing agent and in the presence of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole as a catalyst.

In still another preferred alternative, oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using t-butyl hydroperoxide and sodium chlorite. Typically, in this alternative, the oxidation is performed in a solvent that is a mixture of acetonitrile, water, and t-butanol; preferably, the mixture of acetonitrile, water, and t-butanol is a 3:1:1 mixture of acetonitrile, water, and t-butanol. In this alternative, preferably, the (−)-premnaspirodiene is first dispersed in a solvent that includes the acetonitrile and water, but not the t-butanol; the t-butyl hydroperoxide is then added, and the reaction heated to 50° C. for 18 h. At this point, the t-butanol is added to the reaction, and the reaction is heated for an additional 16 h at 50° C. (Example 7). The reaction is cooled, poured into a 10% solution of sodium sulfite, and extracted with diethyl ether; the organic layer, containing the desired product, is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, dried over sodium sulfate, and then adsorbed onto silica gel. The oxidized product is then purified on a silica gel column and eluted first with 5% ethyl acetate in heptane and then with 10% ethyl acetate in heptane. Details of this procedure are provided in Example 7.

Typically, the acid-catalyzed isomerization step is performed with an acidic isomerization agent. In one alternative, the acidic isomerization agent is selected from the group consisting of mineral acids, organic protonic acids, and Lewis acids. Suitable Lewis acids include, but are not limited to, trifluoroboronetherate, tin chloride, and titanium tetrachloride. Suitable mineral acids include, but are not limited to, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, hydrohalide acids, and heteropolyacids. A suitable heteropolyacid is H₃[P(W₃O₁₀)₄]. Suitable hydrohalide acids include, but are not limited to, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, and hydrogen iodide. Suitable organic protonic acids include, but are not limited to, trifluoroacetic acid, acetic acid, and methylsulfonic acid. In one alternative the acidic isomerization agent is a mixture of acetic acid and sulfuric acid.

In the preferred embodiment, the acidic isomerization agent is a solid phase acidic isomerization agent. Solid phase acidic isomerization agents within the scope of the present invention include, but are not limited to, montmorillonite clay, acidic resins, and acidic aluminum oxide. Preferably, the acidic isomerization agent is an acidic resin. Suitable acidic resins include, but are not limited to, Dowex®50 (available from Dow Chemical Co.), Amberlyst® IR-15 (available from Rohm and Haas Co.), and Nafion® perfluorinated resin (available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.).

An appropriate range of reaction time and reaction temperature is necessary in order to produce 5-epi-β-vetivone (1) from premnaspirodiene (2) according to Scheme (1) below:

In Scheme (1), the first step, the oxidation of (−)-premnaspirodiene to (−)-solavetivone at the allylic carbon, can be performed by any of the oxidation procedures described above, using metal oxidants or, alternatively, using t-butyl hydroperoxide and sodium chlorite.

A reaction time that is too short will result in low yield of 5-epi-β-vetivone, since not all of the premnaspirodiene will be converted to the desired end-product, 5-epi-β-vetivone. A reaction time that is too long will drive the reaction toward production of a mixture of the 2,6 diene and 1,6 diene isomers as the end-product and no 5-epi-β-vetivone will be produced. Typically, the reaction time preferred for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone is between about 15 minutes and about 120 minutes and the reaction temperature is between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 150 degrees Celsius. More preferably, the reaction time is between about 30 minutes and about 90 minutes. Most preferably, the reaction time is between about 40 minutes and about 60 minutes. Appropriate reaction temperature is similarly important. In the preferred embodiment, the reaction temperature is between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 150 degrees Celsius. More preferably, the reaction temperature is between about 50 degrees Celsius and about 125 degrees Celsius. Most preferably, the reaction temperature is between about 75 degrees Celsius and about 105 degrees Celsius.

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) comprising the steps of:

(1) subjecting (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone (5); and

(2) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone (5) formed in step (1) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4);

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (ii) are such that the predominant product is a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (41.

Typically, the allylic carbon oxidation step can be carried out according to a scheme demonstrated in FIG. 6 and described in literature [Hwu, J. R.; Wetzel, J. M., J. Org. Chem. (1992), 57 (3), 922-928]. Furthermore, the acid catalyzed isomerization step can be carried out according to Scheme (3) below:

Typically, oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using CrO₂Cl₂ as an oxidizing agent. In the preferred embodiment, the oxidation step is performed in a solvent. Preferably, the oxidation step is performed in a solvent comprising at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, ether compounds, hydrocarbons, halohydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, a solvent comprising an aliphatic alcohol may be used. For example, the oxidation step may be performed in an aliphatic alcohol selected from the group including, but not limited to, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and t-butanol. Alternatively, a solvent comprising an ether compound may be used. Suitable solvents comprising an ether compound may be selected from the group including, but not limited to, ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane. In another alternative, oxidation step may be performed in a solvent comprising a hydrocarbon. Suitable solvents comprising a hydrocarbon may be selected from the group including, but not limited to, pentane, hexane, benzene, and toluene. In another alternative, oxidation step may be performed in a solvent comprising a halohydrocarbon. For example, dichloromethane may be used as a solvent. Alternatively, oxidation step may be performed in a solvent that is a mixture of t-butanol and dichloromethane.

In another alternative, oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using CrO₂Cl₂ as an oxidizing agent and in the presence of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole as a catalyst. Other oxidizing agents and catalysts within the scope of the present invention will be known to one of reasonable skill in the art. In another alternative, the acid-catalyzed isomerization step is performed with an acidic isomerization agent. Preferably, an acidic isomerization agent is selected from the group including, but not limited to, mineral acids, organic protonic acids, and Lewis acids. Typically, the acidic isomerization agent is a mineral acid selected from the group including, but not limited to, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, hydrohalide acids, and heteropolyacids. Preferably, the acidic isomerization agent is a heteropolyacid. Alternatively, the acidic isomerization agent is H₃[P(W₃O₁₀)₄]. In another alternative, the acidic isomerization agent is a hydrohalide acid selected from the group including, but not limited to, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, and hydrogen iodide. In another alternative, the acidic isomerization agent is a carboxylic acid or a sulfonic acid. Other examples of a suitable acidic isomerization agent include, but are not limited to, trifluoroacetic acid, acetic acid, and methylsulfonic acid. A mixture of acetic acid and sulfuric acid may also be used as an acidic isomerization agent. Other acidic mixtures within the scope of the present invention will be known to one of reasonable skill in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, a solid phase acidic isomerization agent is used. For example, suitable solid phase acidic isomerization agents include, but are not limited to, montmorillonite clay, acidic resins, Dowex®50, Amberlyst® IR-15, and Nafion® perfluorinated resin. Additional examples of suitable acidic isomerization agents include, but are not limited to, acidic aluminum oxide, trifluoroboronetherate, tin chloride, and titanium tetrachloride.

An appropriate range of reaction time and reaction temperature is necessary in order to produce a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) from premnaspirodiene (2) according to Scheme (1) below:

A reaction time that is too short will result in low yield of the mixture of 2,6 diene and 1,6 diene isomers, since not all of the premnaspirodiene will be converted to the desired end-product. A reaction time that is too long is uneconomical and presents problems for industrial scale production of the desired end product. Typically, the reaction time preferred for production of the mixture of 2,6 diene and 1,6 diene isomers is between about 1 hour and about 96 hours and the reaction temperature is between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 150 degrees Celsius. More preferably, the reaction time is between about 2 hours and about 24 hours. Most preferably, the reaction time is between about 2 hours and about 6 hours. Appropriate reaction temperature is similarly important. In the preferred embodiment, the reaction temperature is between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 150 degrees Celsius. More preferably, the reaction temperature is between about 50 degrees Celsius and about 125 degrees Celsius. Most preferably, the reaction temperature is between about 75 degrees Celsius and about 105 degrees Celsius. In the preferred embodiment, the reaction time is between about 1 hour and about 96 hours and reaction temperature is between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 150 degrees Celsius.

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) comprising the steps of:

(1) subjecting (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone (5); and

(2) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone (5) formed in step (1) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4).

In this alternative, the time and temperature conditions for step (2) are such that the predominant product is a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4). In this alternative, the method can further comprise the step of separating 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) in order to produce the two positional isomers individually. Typically, the separation step is performed by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution. Other separation steps within the scope of the present invention will be known to one of reasonable skill in the art.

In another embodiment the present invention describes a substantially purified and isolated mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4). This substantially purified and isolated mixture is prepared by the method described above and includes both positional isomers. As used herein with reference to this substantially purified and isolated mixture, the term “substantially purified and isolated” means that the mixture is substantially free of side products and unreacted components, although solvents and other inert substances may remain. Although a specific degree of purity is not intended by the use of the term “substantially purified and isolated,” typically, when solvents and other inert substances are removed from consideration of purity, the mixture forms at least about 75% of the compounds present. More typically, the mixture forms at least about 85% of the compounds present. Preferably, the mixture forms at least about 95% of the compounds present. More preferably, the mixture forms at least 97.5% of the compounds present. Still more preferably, the mixture forms at least 99% of the compounds present. Still more preferably, the mixture forms at least 99.5% of the compounds present.

In another embodiment the present invention describes the substantially purified and isolated compound 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one represented by FIG. 3A, substantially free of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one. As used herein with respect to this compound and with respect to the other positional isomer 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, below, the term “substantially purified and isolated” means that the preparation is substantially free of side products and unreacted components, although solvents and other inert substances may remain. Although a specific degree of purity is not intended by the use of the term “substantially purified and isolated,” typically, when solvents and other inert substances are removed from consideration of purity, the desired compound (i.e., 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one) forms at least about 75% of the compounds present. More typically, the desired compound forms at least about 85% of the compounds present. Preferably, the desired compound forms at least about 95% of the compounds present. More preferably, the desired compound forms at least 97.5% of the compounds present. Still more preferably, the desired compound forms at least 99% of the compounds present. Still more preferably, the desired compound forms at least 99.5% of the compounds present.

In another embodiment the present invention describes the substantially purified and isolated compound 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one represented by FIG. 3B, substantially free of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one. The term “substantially purified and isolated” with respect to this compound is as defined above with respect to the substantially purified and isolated compound 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one.

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for producing (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) from a terpene substrate, comprising the steps of:

(1) providing the terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene.

Suitable production hosts may include, but are not limited to, any organism capable of expressing the genes required for the premnaspirodiene production. Typically, the host cell will be a microorganism cell or a plant cell. Other suitable host cells within the scope of the present invention will be known to one of reasonable skill in the art.

Microorganism host cells useful in the present invention for the production of premnaspirodiene may include, but are not limited to, bacteria, such as the enteric bacteria (Escherichia and Salmonella for example) as well as Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Streptomyces, Methylobacter, Rhodococcus and Pseudomonas; Cyanobacteria, such as Rhodobacter and Synechocystis; yeasts, such as Saccharomyces, Zygosaccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Candida, Hansenula, Debaryomyces, Mucor, Pichia and Torulopsis; and filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus and Arthrobotrys, and algae for example. Preferably, the host cell is a eukaryotic cell. More preferably, the host cell is a yeast cell, which is a eukaryotic microorganism host cell. Most preferably, the host cell is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell.

Microbial expression systems and expression vectors containing regulatory sequences that direct high level expression of foreign proteins are well known to those skilled in the art. These expression systems and expression vectors are known both for prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and for eukaryotic organisms such as yeast. Similarly, vectors or cassettes useful for the transformation of suitable microbial host cells are well known in the art. These vectors and cassettes are known both for prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and for eukaryotic organisms such as yeast. Typically, the vector or cassette contains sequences directing expression of the relevant gene, a selectable marker, and sequences allowing autonomous replication or chromosomal integration. Suitable vectors comprise a region 5′ of the gene which harbors transcriptional initiation controls and a region 3′ of the DNA fragment which controls transcriptional termination.

The Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene is described in K. Back & J. Chappell, “Cloning and Bacterial Expression of a Sesquiterpene Cyclase from Hyoscyamus muticus and Its Molecular Comparison to Related Terpene Cyclases,” J. Biol. Chem. 270: 7375-7381 (1995); K. Back & J. Chappell, “Identifying Functional Domains Within Terpene Cyclases Using a Domain-Swapping Strategy, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 6841-6845 (1996); and B. T. Greenhagen et al., “Identifying and Manipulating Structural Determinates Linking Catalytic Specificities in Terpene Synthases,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103: 9826-9831 (2006), all of which are incorporated by these references, and, as used herein, typically includes nucleic acid sequences encoding amino acid sequences identified in these references as part of active domains, including catalytic domains and domains responsible for selectivity of the synthase reaction. As used herein, recitation of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a specified amino acid sequence includes all possible codons encoding that amino acid sequence in the absence of evidence suggesting that any possible codon or combination of codons would be nonfunctional in the step of either transcription of the DNA sequence or translation of the resulting mRNA.

Initiation control regions or promoters, which are useful to drive expression of the relevant genes in the desired host cell are numerous and familiar to those skilled in the art. Termination control regions may also be derived from various genes native to the preferred hosts.

Expression of cloned heterologous genes in yeast cells, particularly cells of S. cerevisiae, is described in the following references, all of which are incorporated herein by these references: S. D. Emr, “Heterologous Gene Expression in Yeast,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 231-233 (1991), is a general overview of expression in yeast, including the possibility of exploiting protein secretion and modification in yeast and achieving stability of expressed proteins. A. B. Rose & J. R. Broach, Propagation and Expression of Cloned Genes in Yeast: 2-μm Circle-Based Vectors, Meth. Enzymol. 185: 234-279 (1991), describes the use of 2-μm circle-based vectors for transfection of genes into yeast and for expression of heterologous genes in yeast, including standard 2-μm circle-based vectors, vectors for high copy propagation, vectors for expression of cloned genes in yeast, and vectors for specialized applications. T. Stearns et al., “Manipulating Yeast Genome Using Plasmid Vectors,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 280-297 (1991), describes the use of yeast vector systems and components, the use of homologous recombination to integrate plasmids into the yeast host genome, and the use of centromere plasmids. L. M. Mylin et al., “Regulated GAL4 Expression Cassette Providing Controllable and High-Level Output from High-Copy Galactose Promoters in Yeast,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 297-308 (1991), describes the use of galactose-inducible promoters to provide high levels of production of cloned proteins in yeast. V. L. Price et al., “Expression of Heterologous Proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using the ADH2 Promoter,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 308-318 (1991), describes the use of the glucose-repressible ADH2 promoter to provide controllable, high level expression of cloned proteins in yeast. T. Etcheverry, “Induced Expression Using Yeast Copper Metallothionein Promoter,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 319-329 (1991), describes the use of the yeast CUP1 promoter to drive controllable expression of cloned genes in yeast. S. M. Kingsman et al., “High-Efficiency Yeast Expression Vectors Based on the Promoter of the Phosphoglycerate Kinase Gene,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 329-341 (1991), describes the use of the yeast PGK promoter to drive controllable expression of cloned genes in yeast. S. Rosenberg et al., “Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase-Derived Expression Cassettes for Constitutive Synthesis of Heterologous Proteins,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 341-350 (1991), describes the use of expression cassette plasmids utilizing the strong GAPDH-491 promoter for high levels of heterologous protein production in yeast. A. Z. Sledziewski et al., “Superimposition of Temperature Regulation on Yeast Promoters,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 351-366 (1991), describes the construction of temperature-regulated variants of two strong yeast promoters, TPI1 and ADH2, and the use of these promoters for regulation of expression and thus regulation of the extent of glycosylation of proteins secreted by yeast. T. F. Donahue & A. M. Cigan, “Sequence and Structural Requirements for Efficient Translation in Yeast,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 366-372 (1991), describes the significance of codon usage variations between yeast and higher eukaryotes and the selection of efficient leader sequences. E. W. Jones, “Vacuolar Proteases in Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 372-386 (1991), describes the elimination of vacuolar protease activity in yeast to maximize the yield of protein production from cloned genes. K. D. Wilkinson, “Detection and Inhibition of Ubiquitin-Dependent Proteolysis,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 387-397 (1991), describes methods for preventing ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation in yeast, again to maximize the yield of protein production from cloned genes. R. L. Kendall et al., “Cotranslational Amino-Terminal Processing,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 398-407 (1991), describes the cotranslational processing events that occur in yeast at the amino-termini of nascent polypeptide genes and their effects on heterologous gene expression and protein stability. A. J. Brake, “α-Factor Leader-Directed Secretion of Heterologous Proteins from Yeast,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 408-421 (1991), describes expression systems based on the yeast α-factor leader. R. A. Hitzeman et al., “Use of Heterologous and Homologous Signal Sequences for Secretion of Heterologous Proteins from Yeast,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 421-440 (1991), describes the use of both heterologous and homologous signal sequences for the production and secretion of heterologous gene products in yeast. V. Chisholm et al., “Molecular and Genetic Approach to Enhancing Protein Secretion,” Meth. Enzymol. 185: 471-482 (1991), describes the use of an enhanced secretion phenotype occurring among drug-resistant yeast mutants to maximize secretion of cloned proteins in yeast.

General molecular biological techniques of gene cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and fusion protein construction can be used to provide nucleic acid segments that include therein the Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene. Typically, the nucleic acid segments are DNA nucleic acid segments. Typically, as described above, the Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene is operatively linked to at least one nucleic acid expression control element, such as, but not limited to, a promoter, an enhancer, or a site capable of binding a repressor or activator. Such nucleic acid expression control elements are well known in the art. Typically, as described above, the Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene is included in a vector and, as such, is again operatively linked to at least one nucleic acid expression control element. Site-directed mutagenesis can be used, for example, to provide optimum codon selection for expression in S. cerevisiae, as described above. The Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene can, in one alternative, be expressed in the form of a nucleic acid segment encoding a fusion protein, such as a purification tag or other detectable protein domain.

Where commercial production of premnaspirodiene is desired, a variety of fermentation methodologies may be applied. For example, large scale production may be effected by either batch or continuous fermentation. A classical batch fermentation is a closed system where the composition of the media is set at the beginning of the fermentation and not subject to artificial alterations during the fermentation. Thus, at the beginning of the fermentation the medium is inoculated with the desired microorganism or microorganisms and fermentation is permitted to occur without further addition of nutrients. Typically, the concentration of the carbon source in a batch fermentation is limited, and factors such as pH and oxygen concentration are controlled. In batch systems the metabolite and biomass compositions of the system change constantly up to the time the fermentation is stopped. Within batch cultures cells typically modulate through a static lag phase to a high growth log phase and finally to a stationary phase where growth rate is diminished or halted. If untreated, cells in the stationary phase will eventually die.

A variation on the standard batch system is the Fed-Batch system. Fed-Batch fermentation processes are also suitable for use in the present invention and comprise a typical batch system with the exception that nutrients are added as the fermentation progresses. Fed-Batch systems are useful when catabolite repression is apt to inhibit the metabolism of the cells and where it is desirable to have limited amounts of substrate in the medium. Also, the ability to feed nutrients will often result in higher cell densities in Fed-Batch fermentation processes compared to Batch fermentation processes. Factors such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations, and the partial pressure of waste gases such as CO₂ are generally measured and controlled in Fed-Batch fermentations. Batch and Fed-Batch fermentations are common and well known in the art and examples may be found in Brock, T. D.; Biotechnology: A Textbook of Industrial Microbiology, 2nd ed.; Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, Mass., 1989; or Deshpande, M. V. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 36:227 (1992), herein incorporated by reference.

Commercial production of premnaspirodiene may also be accomplished with continuous fermentation. Continuous fermentation is an open system where a defined fermentation medium is added continuously to a bioreactor and an equal amount of conditioned medium is removed simultaneously for processing. Continuous fermentation generally maintains the cultures at a constant high density where cells are primarily in their log phase of growth. Continuous fermentation allows for modulation of any number of factors that affect cell growth or end product concentration. For example, one method will maintain a limiting nutrient such as the carbon source or nitrogen level at a fixed rate and allow all other parameters to moderate. In other systems a number of factors affecting growth can be altered continuously while the cell concentration, measured by the medium turbidity, is kept constant. Continuous systems strive to maintain steady state growth conditions and thus the cell loss due to the medium removal must be balanced against the cell growth rate in the fermentation. Methods of modulating nutrients and growth factors for continuous fermentation processes as well as techniques for maximizing the rate of product formation are well known in the art of industrial microbiology and a variety of methods are detailed by Brock, supra.

In the preceding embodiments, typically the terpene substrate is farnesyl diphosphate. Preferably, the host cell is a yeast cell that overproduces farnesyl diphosphate. Most preferably, the host cell is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell that overproduces farnesyl diphosphate. Other suitable host cells and substrates within the scope of the present invention will be known to one of reasonable skill in the art.

Typically, the step of isolating the premnaspirodiene produced by the host cell is performed by: (i) sequestering the premnaspirodiene by binding it to a hydrophobic resin; (ii) and isolating the premnaspirodiene from the hydrophobic resin. Preferably, the hydrophobic resin is Amberlite® XAD-16 hydrophobic resin. Other hydrophobic resins within the scope of the present invention will be known to one of reasonable skill in the art.

Typically, premnaspirodiene is isolated from the hydrophobic resin by methanol extraction. Other methods of isolating premnaspirodiene that are within the scope of the present invention will be known to one of reasonable skill in the art.

In an alternative, a two-phase system can be used with a non-polar solvent, substantially immiscible with an aqueous phase, added to the fermentation broth and the premnaspirodiene removed from the non-polar phase by distillation. A preferred non-polar solvent is an oil. A particularly preferred oil is a vegetable oil such as soybean oil. Alternative non-polar solvents include, but are not limited to, high molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbons such as, but not limited to, dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, and hexadecane; either straight-chain or branched-chain isomers can be used; these high-molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbons are optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy or halogen substituents as long as the substituted hydrocarbon remains substantially immiscible with the aqueous phase.

Others have reported the use of two-phase systems in bacterial whole cell transformations (R. J. Sowden et al., “Biotransformation of the Sesquiterpene (+)-Valencene by Cytochrome P450_(cam) and P450_(Bm-3) ,” Org. Biomol. Chem. 3: 57-64 (2005)) and in yeast fermentations (A.-L. Lindahl et al., “Production of Artemisinin Precursor Amorpha-1,4-diene by Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae,” Biotechnol. Lett. 28: 571-580 (2006)). In those cases the hydrocarbons hexadecane and dodecane were used.

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing 5-epi-β-vetivone (1) comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate;

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene (2);

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone (5); and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone (5) formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form 5-epi-β-vetivone (1);

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is 5-epi-β-vetivone (1).

As used herein, the term “providing a terpene substrate” can include: (1) provision of an extraneous terpene substrate to the host cells; or (2) having the host cells themselves synthesize the terpene substrate so that the terpene substrate can be converted into the (−)-premnaspirodiene (2). Typically, the host cells synthesize the terpene substrate.

In another embodiment the present invention describes a method for synthesizing a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4) comprising the steps of

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene as described above;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate;

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene (2);

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene (2) to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone (5); and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone (5) formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4);

wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4).

Similar methods, with an additional step of isolating the positional isomers, can be used to synthesize 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one or 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one.

In general, the method for synthesizing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one comprises the steps of:

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene;

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; and

(6) isolating the 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one formed in step (5) by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution.

In general, the method for synthesizing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one comprises the steps of:

(1) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene;

(2) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and

(3) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene;

(4) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and

(5) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (4) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (5) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; and

(6) isolating the 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one formed in step (5) by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution.

The following examples are provided for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not to be considered limiting.

EXAMPLE 1 Production of Premnaspirodiene (2)

In this example premnaspirodiene was produced by expressing the Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase (the “HPS”) gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The HPS gene was cloned into the yeast shuttle expression vector YEp-GW-URA-NheI/BamHI as described in (1) to give YEp-HPS-ura. This vector contained the ADH1 promoter for initiating transcription of the HPS gene. In addition, it contained the ADH1 terminator downstream of the HPS gene. This vector was maintained in S. cerevisiae by selecting media lacking uracil and it was maintained in E. coli by selecting for resistance to ampicillin.

For production, YEp-HPS-ura was transformed into Cali-5 using the yeast transformation kit (Sigma). Transformants were selected on SDE-ura medium (0.67% Bacto yeast nitrogen base without amino acids, 2% glucose, 0.14% yeast synthetic drop-out medium supplement without uracil, 40 mg/L ergosterol). Colonies were picked and screened for premnaspirodiene production.

Cali-5 was previously engineered to overproduce farnesyl diphosphate (the “FPP”), the substrate for the HPS enzyme. It contained the following mutations: erg9, sue, dpp1. It also contained approximately 8 copies of the truncated HMG2 gene. The truncated form of HMG2 is driven by the GPD promoter and no longer under tight regulation and allows for an increase in carbon flow to FPP. Cali-5 is a derivative of SW23B, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,593 to Millis et al., incorporated by this reference.

Due to the volatile nature of sesquiterpenes, it is necessary to sequester them during the fermentation process. One such sequestration method is the addition of the hydrophobic resin Amberlite XAD-16 (Sigma). This resin has been used in fermentation of other microorganisms to capture natural products as they are produced (2, 3, 4).

Production was carried out in a 14 L fermentation tank (Bioflow 110). Eight liters of fermentation medium was prepared and autoclaved in the fermentation tank (160 g (NH₄)₂SO₄, 160 g KH₂PO₄, 8 g NaCl, 48 g MgSO₄.7H₂O, 32 g yeast extract (Difco). Afterwards the following components were added: 160 ml mineral solution (FeSO₄.7H₂O 0.028%, ZnSO₄.7H₂O 0.029%, CuSO₄.5H₂O 0.008%, Na₂MoO₄.2H₂O 0.024%, CoCl₂.6H₂O 0.024%, MnSO₄.H₂O 0.017%, HCl 1 ml), 80 ml 50% glucose, 240 ml vitamin solution (biotin 0.001%, Ca-pantothenate 0.012%, inositol 0.06%, pyridoxine-HCl 0.012%, thiamine-HCl 0.012%), 80 ml 10% CaCl₂, and 200 g autoclaved XAD-16 beads; the beads were autoclaved in water and the water removed before adding them to the medium. Finally, 8 ml of 50 mg/ml ergosterol in 100% ethanol was added. The ergosterol was mixed with the 100% ethanol and incubated in a hot water bath to aid in the dissolving of the ergosterol. Although the ergosterol does not completely dissolve in the ethanol, the complete mixture was added to the medium.

The seed culture for inoculating the fermentation medium was prepared by inoculating 50 ml of SDE-ura medium with Cali-5 YEp-HPS-ura. This culture was grown until early stationary phase (24-48 hr). One ml of this culture was inoculated into 500 ml of SDE-ura medium and grown for 24 hr. A 400 ml aliquot (5% inoculum) was used to inoculate the 8 L of medium.

The fermentor was maintained at 28° C. The air flow was 4.5 L/min and the pO₂ was maintained above 20% by adjusting the rpm. Furthermore, pH was maintained at 4.5 using acetic acid and NaOH.

Once the glucose was below 1 g/L, after approximately 14 hours, a glucose feed was attached and fed at a rate of 30 ml/hr. The glucose feed was made by mixing 1400 ml 60% glucose and 328 ml 12.5% yeast extract.

After 5 days, the air and agitation were turned off, and the XAD-16 resin was allowed to settle to the bottom of the tank, for approximately 30 minutes. The broth was then siphoned off and the beads collected in a 2 L flask. The beads were washed with 2×2 L of deionized water. After removing as much of the water with a pipette as was possible, 250 ml of 100% methanol was added. The mixture was incubated at room temperature for at least an hour and then the methanol extract was removed and discarded. To elute the premnaspirodiene, 4×500 ml of methanol was used. After the addition of methanol for each extraction, the beads and methanol were warmed to 45° C. to aid in the recovery. The methanol extracts were pooled and concentrated in vacuo to 500 to 800 ml.

Because a significant amount of premnaspirodiene remained attached to the cells, the medium from the fermentation tank was allowed to sit in large glass vessels for 1 to 2 days at room temperature. This was enough time for the yeast cells to settle to the bottom of the tank. At this point, most of the medium was siphoned off. The remaining broth and cells were then collected by centrifugation.

To the cell pellet was added 250 ml of acetone. The cells were resuspended and the mixture was mixed for 10 minutes. The mixture was centrifuged for 10 minutes to pellet the cells. The acetone was removed and another 250 ml of acetone was added to the cell pellet. The solution was mixed for 10 minutes and centrifuged again. The acetone was removed and added to the first acetone extract. The acetone pools were concentrated in vacuo to approximately 250 ml.

The acetone extract was mixed with the methanol extract. This premnaspirodiene was extracted from the acetone/methanol solution with 3×300 ml of pentane. The pentane extracts were pooled and concentrated in vacuo to afford a solution of premnaspirodiene 40-50% pure. The crude material was purified on a silica gel column (100% hexane) to afford the title compound as a colorless oil (3.35 g, 91.4% pure by GC/MS). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 0.91 (d, 3H), 1.43 (m, 1H), 1.57 (m, 4H), 1.68 (s, 3H), 1.73 (m, 6H), 1.84 (m, 2H), 2.01 (m, 1H), 2.47 (m, 1H), 4.71 (d, 2H), 5.29 (s, 1H); ESIMS m/z 205 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 2 Production of Premnaspirodiene Using Vegetable Oil as Sequestering Agent

As described in Example 1, YEp-HPS-ura was transformed into strains CALI-5 or ALX7-95, a leucine prototrophic derivative of CALI-5, using the yeast transformation kit (Sigma). Transformants were selected on SDE-ura medium (0.67 Bacto yeast nitrogen base without amino acids, 2% glucose, 0.14% yeast synthetic drop-out medium without uracil, 40 mg/L ergosterol). Colonies were picked and screened for premnaspirodiene production.

Due to the volatile nature of sesquiterpenes, it is necessary to sequester them during the fermentation process. A second such sequestration method is the addition of vegetable oil to the fermentor to capture the nonpolar sesquiterepene hydrocarbon.

Production was carried out in a 14-L fermentation tank (Bioflow 110). Eight liters of fermentation medium was prepared and autoclaved in the fermentation tank (160 g (NH₄)₂SO₄, 160 g KH₂PO₄, 8 g NaCl, MgSO₄.7H₂O, 32 g yeast extract (Difco). Afterward the following components were added: 160 ml mineral solution (0.028% FeSO₄.7H₂O, 0.029% ZnSO₄.7H₂O, 0.008% CuSO₄.5H₂O, 0.024% Na₂MoO₄.2H₂O, 0.024% CoCl₂.6H₂O, 0.017% MnSO₄.H₂O, 1 mL HCl); 80 mL 50% glucose; 240 mL vitamin solution (0.001% biotin; 0.012% calcium pantothenate, 0.06% inositol, 0.012% pyridoxine-HCl, 0.012% thiamine-HCl); 80 mL 10% CaCl₂, and 200 mL autoclaved soybean oil (purchased from local groceries). Finally, 8 mL of 50 mg/mL cholesterol in 100% ethanol was added.

The seed culture for inoculating the fermentation medium was prepared by inoculating 50 mL of SDE-ura medium with CALI-5 or ALX7-95 containing YEp-HPS-ura. This culture was grown until early stationary phase (24-48 hr). One mL of this culture was inoculated into 500 mL of SDE-ura medium and grown for 24 hr. A 400-mL aliquot (5% inoculum) was used to inoculate the 8 L of medium.

The fermentor was maintained at 26° C. The air flow was 4.5 L/min and the dO₂ was maintained above 30% by adjusting the rpm. Furthermore, the pH was maintained at 4.5 using acetic acid and NaOH.

Once the glucose concentration was below 1 g/L, a feeding regimen was initiated such that the glucose in the fermentor was kept between 0 and 1 g/L. The glucose feed was made by mixing 1400 mL of 60% glucose and 328 mL of 12.5% yeast extract.

After 5 days, the air and agitation were turned off, and the oil was allowed to rise to the top of the tank and decanted.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 2-Isopropenyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]dec-6-en-8-one (the “(−)-solavetivone”) (5)

3,5-Dimethylpyrazole (47 g, 0.49 mol) was dissolved in a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ (650 mL) and t-butyl alcohol (31 mL). The solution was then cooled to −78° C. Chromyl chloride (CrO₂Cl₂) (13.3 mL) was added over 15 min and stirred for another 15 min before it was allowed to warm to room temperature. Premnaspirodiene (6.69 g, 32.7 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (650 mL) and added rapidly to the reaction. The dark red solution was stirred for 48 hours. The reaction was concentrated under vacuum and the residue was suspended in ether. The suspension was then filtered through Celite to remove most of the chromium. The supernatant was then diluted to a 1:1 mixture with hexane. The suspension was filtered through a pad of silica to remove some of the 3,5-dimethylpyrazole. After evaporation under vacuum, the residue was purified on a silica gel column (hexane: ether, 9:1, hexane: ether, 2:1) to afford the title compound as a light yellow oil (3.45 g, 48.3%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 1.00 (d, 3H), 1.59 (m, 2H), 1.68 (m, 1H), 1.76 (s, 3H), 1.93 (m, 5H), 2.11 (m, 2H), 2.21 (dd, 1H), 2.55 (m, 1H), 2.66 (dd, 1H), 4.74 (dd, 2H), 5.75 (s, 1H); ESIMS m/z 219 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 2-Isopropylidene-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]dec-6-en-8-one (the “5-epi-β-vetivone”) (1)

To a solution of (−)-solavetivone (5) (1.66 g, 7.62 mmol) dissolved in ethanol (16 mL) was added Amberlyst® IR-15 (1.66 g). The suspension was then heated at 100° C. in a sealed reaction flask for 50 min. The suspension was then filtered through Celite and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified on a silica gel column (hexane: ether, 85:15). Fractions were analyzed by GC/MS and only fractions with a purity of >95% were retained. Fractions with purities of 50-94% were combined and repurified. This process was repeated until 3 silica gel columns have been run. Final consolidation of all three purifications yielded the title compound as a colorless oil (700 mg, 42.2%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 0.93 (d, 3H), 1.58 (s, 6H), 1.82 (m, 3H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 2.05 (m, 1H), 2.16 (dd, 1H), 2.37 (m, 3H), 2.57 (dd, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H); ESIMS m/z 219 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 2-Isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one (3) & 2-Isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one (4).

To a solution of (−)-solavetivone (5) (100 mg, 0.46 mmol) dissolved in ethanol (2 mL) was added Amberlyst® IR-15 (150 mg). The suspension was then heated at 105° C. in a sealed reaction flask for 96 hours. The suspension was then filtered through Celite and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified on a silica gel column (hexane: ether, 85:15) to afford the mixture as a colorless oil (67 mg, 67%). ESIMS m/z 219 (M+H), 78.7% at 14.71 min; 219 (M+H), 17.1% at 14.89 min.

EXAMPLE 6 Oxidation of (+)-Valencene to (+)-Nootkatone

In order to test various reaction conditions for the oxidation of premnaspirodiene to solavetivone, reactions were carried out on commercially available valencene, a compound that is chemically similar to premnaspirodiene and would be expected to oxidized under similar reaction conditions. Reactions were carried out using 250 mg of starting material in a single reaction, using combinations of sodium chlorite and either t-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) or N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as described (S. M. Silvestre & J. A. R. Salvador, “Allylic and Benzylic Oxidation Reactions with Sodium Chlorite,” Tetrahedron 63: 2439-2445 (2007)). The conditions used were those shown in Table 1. Of the conditions tested, that used in Experiment 1a (Table 1) gave the highest yield and the fewest byproducts. In Experiment 1a, the only byproduct observed was unreacted starting material.

TABLE 1 Oxidation of (+)-Valencene to (+)-Nootkatone NaClO₂ t-BuOOH NHPI % Product # of Exp (equiv) (equiv) (equiv) hplc byproducts 1a 1.2 5.0 NA 75% 1 1b 1.2 3.0 NA 65% 1 1c 2.1 5.0 NA 45% 2 1d 2.5 5.0 NA 45% 2 2a 1.5 NA 0.1 60% 3 2b 1.5 NA 0.5 65% 3 2c 2.0 NA 0.1 40% 3 2d 3.0 NA 0.1 25% 3

In a first oxidation procedure on a larger quantity of (+)-valencene carried out according to Experiment 1a of Table 1, (+)-valencene (1.0 g, 4.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was placed in a four-neck 250-mL flask equipped with a nitrogen inlet tube, thermowell, and a mechanical stirrer. Acetonitrile (45 mL) and water (15 mL) were added to the flask. A 70% solution in water of t-butyl hydroperoxide (3.15 g, 24.5 mmol, 5 equiv.) was added to the solution followed by the slow addition of sodium chlorite (80%) (0.66 g, 5.9 mmol, 1.2 equiv.). The reaction was heated to 50° C. for 18 h; it was then cooled and poured info a 10% solution of sodium sulfite (100 mL). This solution was then extracted with diethyl ether (100 mL). The organic layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (50 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and absorbed onto silica gel (2 g). This material was then purified on a silica gel column (20 g) and eluted with 5% ethyl acetate in heptane (250 mL) and 10% ethyl acetate in heptane (250 mL). The fractions containing the desired product were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the desired product in 72% yield (0.48 g).

In a second oxidation procedure on a larger quantity of (+)-valencene carried out substantially according to Experiment 2a of Table 1, except that the quantity of sodium chlorite was reduced from 1.5 equivalents to 1.2 equivalents, (+)-valencene (1.0 g, 4.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was placed in a four-neck 250-mL flask equipped with a nitrogen inlet tube, thermowell, and a mechanical stirrer. Acetonitrile (45 mL) and water (15 mL) were added to the flask. N-hydroxyphthalimide (80 mg, 0.05 mmol, 0.1 equiv.) was added to the solution followed by the slow addition of sodium chlorite (80%) (0.66 g, 5.9 mmol, 1.2 equiv.) The reaction was heated to 50° C. for 18 h; it was then cooled and poured into a 10% solution of sodium sulfite (100 mL). This solution was then extracted with diethyl ether (100 mL). The organic layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (50 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, and absorbed onto silica gel (2 g). This material was then purified on a silica gel column (20 g) and eluted with 5% ethyl acetate in heptane (250 mL) and 10% ethyl acetate in heptane (250 mL). The fractions containing the desired product were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the desired product in 52% yield (0.37%).

EXAMPLE 7 Oxidation of Premnaspirodiene to 5-Epi-β-Vetivone

To verify these conditions for premnaspirodiene, a larger scale reaction was carried out as follows: (−)-Premnaspirodiene (distilled from vegetable oil, ˜90% purity) (1.0 g, 4.6 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was placed in a four-neck 250 mL flask equipped with a nitrogen inlet tube, thermowell, and a mechanical stirrer. Acetonitrile (45 mL) and water (15 mL) were added to the flask. A 70% solution in water of t-butyl hydroperoxide (2.94 g, 23 mmol, 5 equiv.) was added to the solution followed by the slow addition of sodium chlorite (80%) (0.63 g, 5.5 mmol, 1.2 equiv.). The reaction was heated to 50° C. for 18 h. Very little conversion of starting material was seen at this point, as determined by gas chromatography, likely due to the poor solubility in acetonitrile/water. t-Butanol was added (15 mL) and the homogenous reaction was heated for an additional 16 h at 50° C. The reaction was then cooled and poured into a 10% solution of sodium sulfite (100 mL). The solution was then extracted with diethyl ether (100 mL). The organic layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (50 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, and adsorbed onto silica gel. The material was purified on a silica gel column (20 g) and eluted with 5% ethyl acetate in heptane (250 mL) and 10% ethyl acetate in heptane (250 mL). Fractions containing (−)-solavetivone, as determined by gas chromatography and confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), were combined and concentrated to give the desired product. The yield was 18%.

EXAMPLE 8 Distillation of Premnaspirodiene

As described above, engineered yeast strains expressing the Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene were grown in fermentors containing vegetable oil (soybean oil purchased from local groceries). The oil layers were collected and pooled from numerous fermentations and subjected to distillation under the conditions described below.

Distillation was carried out in a Pope still (wiped-film) at 100° C. and a pressure of 350 mTorr. Recovery was 4.05 g (3.96% of a ˜4% solution). Analysis by gas chromatography of the oil prior to distillation and of the purified premnaspirodiene distilled from the oil indicated that the distilled product was very similar to the product contained in the oil. Recovery was virtually 100% as indicated by a lack of the detectable premnaspirodiene in the vegetable oil following distillation. The purity of the distilled premnaspirodiene was estimated to be 92%.

The gas chromatography (GC) trace of premnaspirodiene in vegetable oil before distillation is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7A shows the graph on normal scale. FIG. 7B expands the scale to depict the impurities present in the premnaspirodiene before distillation. FIG. 8 provides a graph showing the GC trace of purified premnaspirodiene after distillation. FIG. 8A shows the graph on a normal scale. FIG. 8B expands the scale to depict the lack of impurities present in the premnaspirodiene after distillation.

REFERENCES

The following references are cited in the specification and examples by reference number, all of these references are incorporated by this reference in the application in their entirety.

-   1) Hwu, J. R.; Wetzel, J. M., J. Org. Chem. (1992), 57 (3), 922-928. -   2) Endo, K.; de Mayo, P., Chem. Pharm. Bull (1969), 17, 1324. -   3) Hunter, G. L. K.; Brogden, W. B., Jr., J. Food Sci. (1965), 30,     876. -   4) Wilson III, C. W.; Shaw, P. E., J. Agric. Food Chem. (1978), 26     (6), 1430-1432. -   5) Salvador, J. A. R.; Melo, M. L., Campos Neves, A. S., Tetrahedron     Letters (1997), 38(1), 119-122. -   6) Arantes, S. F.; Farooq, A.; Hanson, J. R., Journal of Chemical     Research, (1999), (3), 248. -   7) Salvador, J. A. R., Clark, J. H., Green Chemistry, (2002), 4 (4),     352-356. -   8) Butterworth, A. J.; Clark, J. H.; Walton, P. H.; Barlow, S. J.,     Chemical Communications, (1996), (16), 1859-1860. -   9) Chisem, J.; Chisem, I. C.; Rafelt, J. S. Macquarrie, D. J.;     Clark, J. H., Chemical Communications, (1997), (22), 2203-2204.     -   10) Van Der Gen, A.; Van Der Linde, L. M.; Wifteveen, J. G.;         Boelens, H., Recueil des travaux chimiques des Pays-Bas (1971),         90, 1045-1054. -   11) Takemoto, Y.; Kuraoka, S.; Ohra, T.; Yonetoku, Y.; Iwata, C.,     Tetrahedron (1997), 53 (2), 603-616. -   12) Takahashi, S., Yeo, Y., Greenhagen, B. T., McMullin, T., Song,     L., Maurina-Brunker, J., Rosson, R., Noel, J. P.,     Chappell, J. (2006) Metabolic engineering of sesquiterpene     metabolism in yeast. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. In Press.     (Published on-line Sep. 29, 2006). -   13) Woo E J, Starks C M, Carney J R, Arslanian R, Cadapan L, Zavala     S, Licari P (2002) Migrastatin and a new compound, isomigrastatin,     from Streptomyces platensis. J Antibiot 55:141-146. -   14) Julien B, Shah S (2002) Heterologous expression of the     epothilone biosynthetic genes in Myxococcus xanthus. Antimicrob     Agents Chemother 46:2772-2778. -   15) Frykman, S., Tsuruta, H., Galazzo, J., Licari, P. (2006)     Characterization of product capture resin during microbial     cultivations. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 33:445-453.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel and efficient methods for the production and isolation of 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, which are useful for their fragrant properties. These methods use premnaspirodiene as a starting material, and the present invention also provides novel and efficient methods for the production of premnaspirodiene from a readily-available terpene substrate.

The present invention provides highly purified 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one in high yield, requiring a limited number of reaction steps and using inexpensive and readily available starting materials.

The present invention possesses industrial applicability because the products, namely 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, are capable of industrial use and application as fragrances and for other purposes

With respect to ranges of values, the invention encompasses each intervening value between the upper and lower limits of the range to at least a tenth of the lower limit's unit, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the invention encompasses any other stated intervening values and ranges including either or both of the upper and lower limits of the range, unless specifically excluded from the stated range.

Unless defined otherwise, the meanings of all technical and scientific terms used herein are those commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used to practice or test this invention.

The publications and patents discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

All the publications cited are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, including all published patents, patent applications, literature references, as well as those publications that have been incorporated in those published documents. However, to the extent that any publication incorporated herein by reference refers to information to be published, applicants do not admit that any such information published after the filing date of this application to be prior art. Similarly, all GenBank sequences and other sequence information obtainable from publicly accessible databases are herein incorporated by reference as if each was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

As used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms include the plural forms. For example the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “at least” preceding a series of elements is to be understood as referring to every element in the series. The inventions illustratively described herein can suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the future shown and described or any portion thereof and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the inventions herein disclosed can be resorted by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. The inventions have been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the scope of the generic disclosure also form part of these inventions. This includes the generic description of each invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised materials specifically resided therein. In addition, where features or aspects of an invention are described in terms of a Markush group, those schooled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. It is also to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments will be apparent to those of in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or will be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

1. A method for synthesizing 5-epi-β-vetivone comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and (b) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (a) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form 5-epi-β-vetivone; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (b) are such that the predominant product is 5-epi-β-vetivone.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using a metal oxidant.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the metal oxidant is selected from the group consisting of chromium, copper, rhodium, cobalt, manganese, and vanadium oxidants.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using CrO₂Cl₂ as an oxidizing agent.
 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the oxidation is performed in a solvent.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the solvent comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, ether compounds, hydrocarbons, halohydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed in the presence of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole as a catalyst.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using t-butyl hydroperoxide and sodium chlorite.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the oxidation is performed in a solvent.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the solvent is a mixture of acetonitrile, water, and t-butanol.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the solvent that is a mixture of acetonitrile and water is a 3:1:1 mixture of acetonitrile, water, and t-butanol.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the acid-catalyzed isomerization is performed with an acidic isomerization agent.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a mineral acid.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is an organic protonic acid.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a Lewis acid.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a mixture of acetic acid and sulfuric acid.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a solid phase acidic isomerization agent.
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the reaction time for step (b) is between about 15 minutes and about 120 minutes.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the reaction temperature for step (b) is between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 150 degrees Celsius.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the (−)-premnaspirodiene is produced by fermentation.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the fermentation producing the (−)-premnaspirodiene employs a host cell that produces the (−)-premnaspirodiene from farnesyl phosphate.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic host cell.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the eukaryotic host cell is a yeast cell.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the yeast cell is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell.
 25. The method of claim 20 wherein the (−)-premnaspirodiene is isolated from the fermentation by: (i) sequestering the (−)-premnaspirodiene by binding it to a hydrophobic resin; and (ii) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene from the hydrophobic resin.
 26. The method of claim 20 wherein the (−)-premnaspirodiene is isolated from the fermentation by: (i) sequestering the (−)-premnaspirodiene in a non-polar solvent phase of a two-phase system during fermentation wherein the non-polar solvent phase is substantially immiscible with an aqueous phase; and (ii) removing the (−)-premnaspirodiene from the non-polar solvent phase by distillation.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the non-polar solvent phase is a vegetable oil.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the vegetable oil is soybean oil.
 29. The method of claim 26 wherein the non-polar solvent phase is a high-molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain or branched-chain isomer of dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, and hexadecane wherein the high-molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbon is optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy or halogen substituents such that the substituted hydrocarbon is substantially immiscible with the aqueous phase.
 30. A method for synthesizing a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and (b) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (a) to acid-catalyzed isomerization; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (b) are such that the predominant product is a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using a metal oxidant.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the metal oxidant is selected from the group consisting of chromium, copper, rhodium, cobalt, manganese, and vanadium oxidants.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using CrO₂Cl₂ as an oxidizing agent.
 34. The method of claim 31 wherein the oxidation is performed in a solvent.
 35. The method of claim 34 wherein the solvent comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, ether compounds, hydrocarbons, halohydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.
 36. The method of claim 33 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed in the presence of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole as a catalyst.
 37. The method of claim 30 wherein the oxidation of the allylic carbon is performed using t-butyl hydroperoxide and sodium chlorite.
 38. The method of claim 37 wherein the oxidation is performed in a solvent.
 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the solvent is a mixture of acetonitrile, water, and t-butanol.
 40. The method of claim 39 wherein the solvent that is a mixture of acetonitrile and water is a 3:1:1 mixture of acetonitrile, water, and t-butanol.
 41. The method of claim 30 wherein the acid-catalyzed isomerization is performed with an acidic isomerization agent.
 42. The method of claim 41 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a mineral acid.
 43. The method of claim 41 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is an organic protonic acid.
 44. The method of claim 41 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a Lewis acid.
 45. The method of claim 41 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a mixture of acetic acid and sulfuric acid.
 46. The method of claim 41 wherein the acidic isomerization agent is a solid phase acidic isomerization agent.
 47. The method of claim 30 wherein the reaction time for step (b) is between about 1 hour and about 96 hours.
 48. The method of claim 30 wherein the reaction temperature for step (b) is between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 150 degrees Celsius.
 49. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of separating 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one.
 50. The method of claim 49 wherein the separation step is performed by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution.
 51. A substantially purified and isolated mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one.
 52. The substantially purified and isolated compound 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one, substantially free of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one.
 53. The substantially purified and isolated compound 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, substantially free of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one.
 54. A method for producing (−)-premnaspirodiene from a terpene substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene; (b) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and (c) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene.
 55. The method of claim 54 wherein the step of providing the terpene substrate is performed by synthesis of the terpene substrate by the host cell.
 56. The method of claim 55 wherein the terpene substrate is farnesyl diphosphate.
 57. The method of claim 54 wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic cell.
 58. The method of claim 57 wherein the host cell is a yeast cell.
 59. The method of claim 58 wherein the host cell is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell.
 60. The method of claim 54 wherein the step of isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene is performed by: (i) sequestering the (−)-premnaspirodiene by binding it to a hydrophobic resin; and (ii) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene from the hydrophobic resin.
 61. The method of claim 54 wherein the step of isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene is performed by: (i) sequestering the (−)-premnaspirodiene in a non-polar solvent phase of a two-phase system during fermentation wherein the non-polar solvent phase is substantially immiscible with an aqueous phase; and (ii) removing the (−)-premnaspirodiene from the non-polar solvent phase by distillation.
 62. The method of claim 61 wherein the non-polar solvent phase is a vegetable oil.
 63. The method of claim 62 wherein the vegetable oil is soybean oil.
 64. The method of claim 61 wherein the non-polar solvent phase is a high-molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain or branched-chain isomer of dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, and hexadecane wherein the high-molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbon is optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy or halogen substituents such that the substituted hydrocarbon is substantially immiscible with the aqueous phase.
 65. A method for synthesizing 5-epi-β-vetivone comprising the steps of: (a) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene; (b) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and (c) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene; (d) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and (e) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (d) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form 5-epi-β-vetivone; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (e) are such that the predominant product is 5-epi-β-vetivone.
 66. A method for synthesizing a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one comprising the steps of: (a) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene; (b) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and (c) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene; (d) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and (e) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (d) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (e) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one.
 67. A method for synthesizing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one comprising the steps of: (a) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene; (b) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and (c) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene; (d) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and (e) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (d) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (e) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; and (f) isolating the 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one formed in step (e) by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution.
 68. A method for synthesizing 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one comprising the steps of: (a) providing a terpene substrate to a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a sequence encoding a Hyoscyamus muticus premnaspirodiene synthase gene; (b) culturing the host cell under conditions suitable to produce (−)-premnaspirodiene from the terpene substrate; and (c) isolating the (−)-premnaspirodiene; (d) subjecting the isolated (−)-premnaspirodiene to oxidation of an allylic carbon to form (−)-solavetivone; and (e) subjecting the (−)-solavetivone formed in step (d) to acid-catalyzed isomerization to form a mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; wherein time and temperature conditions for step (e) are such that the predominant product is the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one; and (f) isolating the 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one from the mixture of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one formed in step (e) by a method selected from the group consisting of thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, and countercurrent distribution. 